Leopard 2, Marder and Co.: Which tank type can do what?

Berlin The federal government wants to decide promptly on tank deliveries to Ukraine. The Handelsblatt learned from government circles that there would be “a qualitatively new step” in arms exports to the war-torn country in the “very near future”. One is in “close coordination” with the USA and France, it said in Berlin.

Economics Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck announced on Thursday during a visit to Norway that advice would be given quickly and then decisions would be made. Habeck referred to France’s announcement that it intends to deliver AMX-10 RC reconnaissance tanks to Ukraine. The US is also considering making Bradley infantry fighting vehicles available.

But which vehicle is actually suitable for which purpose? Which tank is used where? And why is France’s statement that it wants to supply “light battle tanks” misleading?

This overview explains the five most important tank types.

main battle tank

The scientific services of the Bundestag understand this to mean a vehicle with track drive and a “very powerful cannon as the main armament in a 360-degree rotating turret”.

The main battle tank is therefore the “best armored vehicle” on the battlefield. Examples of the type mentioned in the English Main Battle Tank (MBT) are the German Leopard 2, the US M1 Abrams, the British Challenger 2 or the French Leclerc.

armored personnel carrier

According to the definition of the Bundestag, these vehicles are not battle tanks. Nevertheless, they are used on the front line and offer almost the same protection.

Protected by the armor, soldiers can shoot from the vehicle in battle. The vehicles mentioned in the English Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) are usually equipped with a light cannon and more and more often with armor-piercing guided missiles. The Bundeswehr uses the Marder and Puma models.

The Puma tanks had recently caused a stir in Germany: 17 of the 18 vehicles that were intended for a NATO mission failed during exercises and had to be repaired.

>> Read here: Damage record to the Puma – Defects were small, but dangerous nonetheless

scout tank

These are fast, small, quiet and only lightly armed vehicles that are usually built as wheeled armored vehicles.

The Fennek reconnaissance vehicle, for example, is used by the Bundeswehr under the motto “See without being seen”. This definition contradicts the tank model that France wants to deliver to Ukraine and is also referred to as a “reconnaissance tank”. In fact, said AMX-10 RC is a wheeled tank with a big gun.

armored personnel carrier

According to the 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, the personnel carriers are designed to transport a group of infantry, casualties or ammunition and are only lightly armed.

The armor of the companions known in the English Armored Personal Carrier (APC) can usually only withstand light and medium infantry weapons. The Fuchs and Boxer models are used in the Bundeswehr.

special armor

These combat vehicles fulfill a special mission on the battlefield. With the Buffalo armored recovery vehicle, the Bundeswehr rescues broken-down heavy vehicles under fire, while the Biber armored bridge-laying armored vehicle makes rivers and ditches passable.

In addition to swimming tanks, which belong to the amphibious vehicles, or mine clearance tanks, there are also anti-aircraft tanks such as the Cheetah. The model, which is no longer used by the Bundeswehr, was delivered to Ukraine at the end of 2022.

More: Germany to deliver Marder armored personnel carriers to Ukraine